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What to do if you find an animal in distress?
For orphaned animals, click the most appropriate link below for more information:
For sick or injured animals:
If you feel it is safe to do so, confine the animal to a cardboard box in a warm, dark quiet place away from people and pets. Call our Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662 and leave a message. While you are waiting for a call back, please keep noise levels low, and do not handle or look at the animal as this is stressful for wildlife. Please do not offer the animal anything to eat or drink until you have spoken to one of our hotline staff.
Rescue tips for birds:
It is easiest to contain birds by draping a lightweight teat towel or other string-free piece of material (such as flannel) over the bird so that its head is completely covered—birds will typically not attempt to move once they cannot see. Pick the bird up by placing one hand over each wing (or on the body under the wing if the wing appears injured), and placing the bird into a box. Remove the material from the bird’s body and close the lid of the box. You may leave the material inside the box to provide traction as long as the bird’s body is not bound in it. Note: if the bird you have found is larger than a chicken and has a beak that is longer than its head (such as a heron, bittern, or cormorant), you should call our Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662 before attempting rescue, as these birds can present a significant risk to the rescuer. Birds that can still fly or move very quickly will be difficult to contain in this way—call our Wildlife Hotline for further rescue tips in these cases.
Rescue tips for other animals:
To prevent injury, it is best to avoid direct contact with the animal. Instead, get a sturdy plastic container, such as a recycling bin or garbage container (the opening of the container must be larger than the animal), as well as a flat piece of wood, metal or plastic that will serve as a makeshift lid, and some rope. Make sure there are airholes in the container or the lid that are significantly smaller than the animal’s head
To prevent injury, it is best to avoid direct contact with the animal. Instead, get a sturdy plastic container, such as a recycling bin or garbage container (the opening of the container must be larger than the animal), as well as a flat piece of wood, metal or plastic that will serve as a makeshift lid, and some rope. Make sure there are air holes in the container or the lid that are significantly smaller than the animal’s head.
Approach the animal from behind and quickly place the upside down container over top of it. Then, shimmy the flat piece of wood, metal or plastic slowly underneath the container and the animal while holding the container firmly against the ground (having a second person on hand to hold the container is helpful). Holding the “lid” securely against the bottom opening of the container, turn the container over slowly and secure the lid by tying several loops of rope around the container and lid together. If the animal is not mobile at all, you may also place a container on its side next to the animal and use a board or broom to push the animal inside the container.
In the case of babies, it may be easiest to pick the animal up directly, but you should still wear thick work gloves to protect yourself in these cases. Even seemingly
defenceless young animals can cause injury when frightened.
If it is not safe to confine the animal, try to block off the area where the animal is so that it cannot escape while you are waiting for help. Call the hotline ASAP and leave a clear, detailed message. Our Wildlife Hotline staff will call you back as quickly as possible during open hours. We are open from 9AM to 6PM every day*.
*Please note that on December 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st, hours are 9am to 4pm.
What should I do if I have found an animal in need of help and Toronto Wildlife Centre is closed?
Click Here for information.
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